Jimmie "Jim" Dano

Jimmie “Jim” Vincent Dano passed away on September 20, 2020 at Essentia St. Joseph Medical Center. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, September 30 ,2020 at 11 am at St. Christopher’s Catholic Church with Father Michael Patullo officiating.  A Gathering  of famiy and friends will be held one hour prior. Interment will be at the Pequot Lakes City Cemetery.

Jim was born on May 12, 1938 to Edrea Mable (Beer) and Robert John Dano in Brainerd, Minnesota. They lived on Eastmans Point on Lake Hubert until Jimmie was 9 and then they moved to Co. Rd 18. He lived here until he was 18 years old when he met and married Darlyne Elaine Puetz on July 07, 1956. Together they had 4 children, Vernon Luke, Anthony Robert, Laurie Ann, and Mark Allen. In 1980, Jimmie decided to build a log house where the family still lives today.

Jim worked with local carpenters, Fred and Ralph Anderson. They taught him to lay bricks and split rocks. He was soon so good at it he decided to start a company of his own, Dano Masonry. Jim hired Harold Larson and together they built many basements and fireplaces in the Brainerd lakes area. Then as Jim’s boys were big enough they went to work with him. Jim also worked as a fire fighter for the Nisswa Volunteer Fire Department. He joined at the age of 18 and served as the treasurer for many years. Then in 1982 he was elected Fire Chief and after serving for 31 years, Jim retired in 1990.

Jim was an avid outdoorsman as well. He enjoyed trap shooting, and was a part of the Lakeshore Conservation Club. He was even a big part in building the conservation building in doing all the cement work. Jim also liked to hunt. He shot many deer, 1 elk, 2 moose, and 1 Bear as well. He was also an exceptional snowmobiler. He bought his first snowmobile in 1969, at Dullums, and the next thing he was racing. He won many trophies from 1969-1975. He raced in the I-500 from St. Paul, MN to Winnipeg, Canada multiple times. In 1973 and 1974 he rode on a rare John Deer snowmobile. This sled was rebuilt and entered into the Snowmobile Hall of Fame in St. Germain, WI. Then, In 1976 Jim led the race for 3 days and despite bending one ski and needing to fix it, he was still in 7th place come night fall. He was ready to get back into the lead the following morning; however, a snow storm blew in and the race ended due to snow covering all the markers. Anything that Jim tried to do, he did it very well. His family and friends will miss him dearly.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Darlyne Dano; children Laurie (friend Greg Peterson) Dano, and Anthony (Debbie Tuttle) Dano; sister Carol Grace Dano.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Howard Dano, sons Mark Allen Dano and Vernon Luke Dano.